Bill Cosby breaks silence after shock death of TV son Malcolm-Jamal Warner aged 54
Controversial comedian Bill Cosby has compared the death of Malcolm Jamal-Warner to losing his own son, as Hollywood’s biggest names pay tribute to the beloved Cosby Show star.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s TV father, Bill Cosby, is addressing his tragic death.
Hours after it was reported that the actor died at 54 by fatally drowning in Costa Rica while on holiday with his family, Bill Cosby’s rep, Andrew Wyatt, shared how the comedian took the news.
Wyatt told The Post that Cosby “spoke to Phylicia Rashad earlier and they reminisced about Malcolm.”
Cosby starred as Cliff Huxtable, the dad of Warner’s character Theodore “Theo” Huxtable in The Cosby Show for 8 seasons, from 1984 to 1992.
Rashad, 77, played Clair Huxtable, Theo’s mum.
According to Wyatt, Cosby shared that his childhood friend recently passed away, noting that hearing of Warner’s death added to his pain.
The actor, who just celebrated his 88th birthday, feels like “everybody’s leaving,” Wyatt told The Post.
The star’s spokesperson also shared that Cosby told him, “While I was their TV dad, I never stopped being a father to them.”
The actor also compared Warner’s passing to losing his own son, Ennis Cosby, who was murdered in 1997.
Hearing the news “reminded him of the same call he received when his son died,” Wyatt added.
He also shared a heartwarming story of a full-circle moment with Warner.
“He started with the Cosby show, he was a teenager,” Wyatt explained to The Post, adding that Cosby gave Warner his upright bass named after his only son in 2016, more than two decades after The Cosby Show ended.
He passed the instrument on “so his [Ennis’] legacy would be that he humanised the world,” Wyatt said of Cosby’s son, adding now that Warner’s dead, “he would humanise the world even more.”
Wyatt also shared that Cosby recently spoke to Warner.“ He had just done a concert in Minnesota and called Mr. Cosby and talked about it. They spoke all the time. He said ‘Malcolm was changing humanity,’” he said.
It came as Hollywood’s biggest names paid tribute to Warner.
Music superstar Beyonce paid tribute to Warner shortly after news of his tragic death.
“Rest in power Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” she posted. “Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.”
Jamie Foxx wrote that he is “speechless on this one,” but added, “Rest in power, my brother.”
Jennifer Hudson said she was “devastated” and “truly heartbroken.”
Viola Davis said that news of Warner’s death left her “speechless.”
The Oscar-winning actress posted on Instagram: “Theo was OUR son, OUR brother, OUR friend… He was absolutely so familiar, and we rejoiced at how TV got it right!! But… Malcolm got it right… and now… we reveled in your life and are gutted by this loss. ... We will speak your name — always.
Record producer Questlove shared a lengthy tribute on Instagram, remembering Warner as an “amazing soul who always took the time out to school me and talk about his experiences in life and the business.”
COSBY SHOW STAR’S TRAGIC DROWNING DEATH
Warner was in Costa Rica on a family holiday and drowned while swimming near Cocles after allegedly being caught by a high current.
Costa Rican National Police told The Post that Warner was pulled from the water by people in the area and taken to shore, where the Costa Rica Red Cross tried to revive him but were unsuccessful in their efforts.
Warner’s cause of death was asphyxia, according to the police.
In 2021, Warner exclusively spoke to The Post about the legacy of The Cosby Show following Cosby’s sex assault conviction that was later overturned.
“I can understand why some people can’t watch the show and enjoy it because of everything that’s going on now,” Warner told The Post.
“But I think … there’s a generation of young people who have pursued higher education or have started loving families because of the influence of that show.”
“So it’s kind of like, you can’t discount its impact on television culture and American culture,” he added.
Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on August 18, 1970.
He was named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal.
His career began as a child performer, and he attended the Professional Children’s School in New York City.
Warner auditioned for the role of Theo on the last day of the show’s nationwide search and was selected by Cosby, per Variety.
He starred alongside Cosby, Phylicia Rashad as Clair Huxtable, Sabrina Le Beauf as Sondra Huxtable, Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable, Tempestt Bledsoe as Vanessa Huxtable and Keshia Knight Pulliam as Rudy Huxtable.
He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1986, the same year he hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live.
After The Cosby Show, Warner starred in the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie alongside Eddie Griffin from 1996 to 2000, followed by another sitcom Reed Between the Lines from 2011 to 2015.
Warner’s other notable acting credits included Here and Now, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jeremiah, Listen Up, Community, Sons of Anarchy, American Horror Story: Freak Show, American Crime Story, Suits and 9-1-1.
From 2018 to 2023, Warner played Dr. AJ Austin on The Resident.
He also directed an episode of the Fox medical show.
Warner was also the voice of the Producer character on The Magic School Bus.
Most recently, Warner appeared in three episodes of Fox’s Alert: Missing Persons Unit that aired earlier this year.
Outside of acting, Warner won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his song Jesus Children with Robert Glasper featuring Lalah Hathaway in 2015.
In January, he started the podcast Not All Hood with Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley that “takes a provocative look at the vastly different lived experiences and identities of blacks in America.”
Warner dated Michelle Thomas, who played his girlfriend on The Cosby Show.
Thomas died in 1998 of a desmoplastic tumour at 30.
He was also in relationships with actors Karen Malina White from 2000 to 2007 and Regina King from 2011 to 2013.
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter, whom he chose to keep private.
Originally published as Bill Cosby breaks silence after shock death of TV son Malcolm-Jamal Warner aged 54
Join the conversation
Osbournes fumed over sick Ozzy death hoax
“What the f**k is wrong with you people?” Ozzy Osbourne’s daughter Kelly hit back at a cruel online hoax just days before his death.
Read more
Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne dead at 76
The heavy metal superstar died “surrounded by love” just days after what had been billed as his final performance ever.
Read more